• A global programme which aims for a sustainable future through co-development and co-delivery of projects to support the crafts sector 
• Participating Indian and the UK organisations to benefit from opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and shared learning 

New Delhi: British Council, the United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations, today announced another set of grant winners for its coveted global programme – Crafting Futures: India-UK Collaboration Scheme 2022. Under the program, the grants are jointly awarded to a partnership of two organisations – an organisation in India and a compatible UK organisation. Jaipur Rugs Foundation & University of Arts London, IICD and West Dean College of Arts and Conservation, University of Liverpool & INTACH Hooghly Chapter have been shortlisted.    

Crafting Futures supports collaboration to strengthen the creative and crafts sector in India through exciting and innovative projects which addresses inclusion across a range of communities, explore solutions for global environmental challenges and generate new propositions for the relationship between craft and technology.

Jonathan Kennedy, Director Arts India, British Council, said: “India has a vital arts and craft industry, and this is globally recognised, however, our recent research with Fashion Revolution confirms the Covid-19 pandemic has been particularly tough and remains challenging for livelihoods of crafts organisations, women artists and artisans. I’m delighted British Council has been able to continue our commitment to strengthening the Indian crafts sector, for improving livelihoods, and developing contemporary craft skills and traditions with a series of new UK partnerships. The abundant innovation and vibrancy in the projects this year will support social, cultural, and economic change with the India and UK craft collaborations. During what continues to be a tough time for craft artists and artisans worldwide, we are delighted to be able to extend new creative and economic opportunities for women and other crafts entrepreneurs in India.”

The first round of Crafting Futures India-UK scheme saw innovative and exciting projects – from vocational training of Pinguli Puppetry Artisans in Maharashtra; business skills training and empowerment of women artisans through sustainable processes in crafts working at Swami Sivananda Memorial Institute (SSMI); reviving and revitalising the urban ‘living’ crafts and develop opportunities for valuable collaborations by urban craftspeople and practitioners in Kolkata, Goa and Bangalore presenting their crafts work at the Unbox Festival; improving the livelihoods of highly skilled craftswomen in Gujarat through new product designs and use of modern marketing methods for the Indian and European market; collaboration to develop an international artists’ residency with 72 Muslim Potter families of Gundiyali in Gujarat for crafts tourism; and a collaboration to revive and strengthen the local economy around wool in the Kutch region reaching out to 100 women weavers.

As part of the second round of Crafting Futures: India-UK Collaboration Scheme, applications were invited for project proposals from India and the UK organisations, out of which 3 more projects have been chosen which will benefit from monetary and technical support to collaborate with craft communities in India to co-develop and co-deliver projects that support the crafts sector. 

All three awardees aim to have a significant impact on the craft sector whilst uplifting the artisans across various cities. The collaboration between Jaipur Rugs Foundation and the University of Arts London will help rural women to learn new skills in craft to earn dignified incomes and gain financial independence irrespective of their formal education. The programme will address the pertinent skill gaps present in Indian artisan communities and help them expand their economic opportunities through design and entrepreneurship.  

The partnership between IICD and West Dean College of Arts and Conservation focuses on the Potters of Baswa district in Jaipur through the exchange of knowledge between India and UK ceramic practices whilst focusing on design and technology.

Lastly, the partnership between the University of Liverpool and INTACH Hooghly Chapter will work with women artisans across Hooghly who are involved in the informal craft sector. With Patch-WORK, West Bengal, and an app-enabled e-commerce network, the partners aim to train the artisans with new business skills and create products for the global market.

About the British Council:

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We work with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 80 million people directly and 791 million people overall, including online, broadcasts and publications. We make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive a 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government. britishcouncil.org

For more information about the British Council contact: 

Shonali Ganguli | Head Marketing and Communications East and Northeast India | British High Commission | shonali.ganguli@in.britishcouncil.org | +91 983 656 9944

Akash Batra | akash.batra@archetype.co  | 999 978 6118